Book 14: Chapter 20
Ingenious Solution (Part 3)
Things… didn’t look optimistic. Confucianism disciples didn’t excel in offence, defence or evasion; they were average at all aspects of combat. That was their strength, though. Therefore, the more advanced they were, the harder it was to determine their weaknesses, which only became even harder to identify once they reached Divine Realm.
My shifu never respected Uncle Huang’s character or skills, the former because Uncle Huang was too wishy washy, while the latter was because it was an utter mess. When speaking on Yu Sihe, however, Shifu evaluated him positively, saying, “His swordplay is passable.” Without knowing my shifu, you might’ve brushed off Yu Sihe. Since I knew my shifu’s character, however, I never underestimated Confucianism’s martial arts disciplines. That went double in my current state. Of course, whether I tormented myself trying to pinpoint their weaknesses or they tormented me after capturing me on suspicions of me harming Uncle Huang, it was still torturous. That being said, I had a more important question: couldn’t they choose different time to have a misunderstanding?!
The leader was the type I hated the most – a pretty face on a guy. He was different to the cordially-smiling scholar, though. I could tell at a glance that he’d have butchered me already if he wasn’t trained to always follow procedures.
It was all a misunderstanding. How could I throw a fit with Uncle Huang’s disciples and grand disciples considering my relationship with him? I could talk it out with them, and we could even be friends. As academicians, what could we not settle with words?
“I’ve been looking for you,” he said with a smirk.
“You are?”
“Lan Jiqiong.”
I offered a thumbs up and bright smile. “That is the hallmark of a true academician. Material wealth is all dung. Even the ‘qiong’ in your name is there to emphasise lack of wealth. My humble respects!”
Lan Jiqiong’s pretty face twitched. “… It’s the ‘qiong’ in firmament.”
“… Ahaha… Hahaha, I am the new Hanlin Academician His Majesty appointed. We are fellow scholars, descendants of Mencius, uh…”
“I’ve seen your test paper.”
Fark!
I didn’t know he was a marker!
“Uncle Huang and I are close. I think there is a misunderstanding. In the underground palace…”
Lan Jiqiong unsheathed his sword. “I am Principal Huang’s direct disciple and Daren Academy’s current Thuban.”
Thuban… So… if left is superior, he’s third rank around here?
Lan Jiqiong kept imbuing qi into his sword even after the qi stung my face without direct contact. “Although I don’t know what happened in the underground palace, Shizun has not forgotten the name of his mortal enemy even in his unconscious state. He mumbles your name every day in his nightmares. Every one of us is heartbroken, yet you have the nerve to stroll around here as if nothing happened?”
He even spoke with decorum, never explicating the contents of Uncle Huang’s nightmares.
Don’t tell me their misunderstanding isn’t that bad, and it’s all a product of their own twisted imaginations.
“Ming Feizhen, I shall make you pay with your blood! Hold him down, and pull his pants off!”
They really have twisted it with their imaginations, and bloody hell their imaginations are vivid! Is there nobody at this academy who’s not off their rockers?!
“Wait! If you’re Thuban, what about Edasich?”
Lan Jiqiong, startled for a second, reflexively questioned, “What now?“
“Why isn’t he here?”
I saw Lan Jiqiong avert his gaze for the split second before he grouched, “My senior brother isn’t here. What does it have to do with you?”
I scratched my head. “Could it be that he believes the full story is not yet clear and is against you taking action in the meantime, but you have chosen to act against his orders?”
“N-no!”
You’re too honest for you own good, bro.
“Help! Thuban Lan is trying to kill me!”
“You! Stay still if you’re tough!”
“Only an idiot would stay still for you to hack him!”
As I ran, I continued crying for help. As expected, the chicken instructed his group to pull out.
“Let’s go! If Senior Brother comes over and finds us here, we’ll be in trouble!”
In no time at all, they were gone. I had to get going, too, because who knew of the Edasich was also an outlier to normal. If he, as well, misunderstood, then I’d have the entire academy hunting me down.
“He Shi, I need to get moving, but before that, I have just one question: can you still participate in the idol competition?”
The spectator returned to reality. “Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah. The rites and calligraphy contests are on the first day, after all. The exams commence on the second day, though, so I can’t participate from then.”
As long as He Shi could take care of his portion, Tang Ye and Xiao could handle the rest.
“Sounds good. I’m going on ahead.”
I sneaked out of the academy. Suffice to say, I couldn’t avoid being seen. Nevertheless, they didn’t show signs of pursuit, so the Edasich must not have misunderstood me.
I went to deliver a letter to Beiping first as planned and then dropped into Heavenly Fragrance Garden to see if Shifu tried to contact me at all.
There was a solution to the exams at long last.
I had to be cautious of Gongsun Chu, who could’ve shown up again at any moment.
I was dealing with the assassins, but Jingan’s plans were never so simple.
Mount Daluo hadn’t contacted me at all since the last time we made contact.
Has Shifu been busy? He must be so busy with one of his ladies that he doesn’t even know his disciple almost got minced. What an irresponsible adult.
I had just stepped out of Heavenly Fragrance Garden when I sensed danger at my neck.
Not even this place is safe now?
I ducked under the sword and then heard, “Ming Feizhen, if you make it out of here alive, I’ll spell my name backwards from now.” I then saw an angry young girl armed with a sword.
“Eh? Aren’t you the lass that sick Fu Xiang groomed?”
“You killed my adopted father, and you’re still smearing his name?! Die!”